Don’t count out the Boston Celtics in 2021-22.
After a disappointing 2020-21 NBA campaign, in which they lost in the first round of the playoffs, many are quick to fade the Boston Celtics heading into this season. Even though they may be right on the surface, an argument can be made for the other way around – that the Celtics are, in fact, headed for a huge bounce-back season this year.
Boston got off to a quiet start this offseason, but by the time it was over there’s no question that this team improved. In an attempt to retool the roster, the Celtics have added Dennis Schroder, Josh Richardson, Al Horford, Enes Kanter, and Jabari Parker.
The Celtics have seen quite the turnover this offseason and with Brad Stevens now running the front office, it appears that this team isn’t willing to waste one more year of Jayson Tatum’s prime. The Celtics are ready to get back on track this season.
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While a lot of that depends on the health of both Tatum and Jaylen Brown (who missed last year’s playoffs), several of the team’s offseason additions are expected to have a huge hand in the team’s return to relevance.
Taking a flier on Schroder might’ve been the best move of the offseason and bringing back Kanter and Horford should give this team some much-needed depth to the frontcourt. If Horford has anything left in the tank, he will also give this team a bump on the defensive end.
Richardson will give the Celtics another 3-and-D wing and Parker is another talent that the team hopes to unlock.
With a new head coach and likely a new system, the Celtics will be able to hit the reset button to a certain extent and get some of last year’s disappointment out of their mouth.
In an improved Eastern Conference, it was important that the Celtics make some sort of change. And that was evident not only in the front office. If Danny Ainge is still calling the shots, I’m not sure if this much turnover happens this offseason for Boston.
Either way, heading into the new season, the Celtics will at least have a puncher’s chance – something that they simply didn’t have last year in the postseason. Barring a significant injury to one of the team’s significant players, the Celtics should be back in the mix in the Eastern Conference.
It would be foolish to say that the Celtics should be the favorite or even one of the top 3 teams in the conference heading into the season. At the same rate, it would be equally foolish to not even give this team a shot at having a big bounce-back year.